Peeling an Onion

[chip gremillion]

The gut job I am doing on my 75 Glenbrook is a little like peeling an onion.
The more layers you peel back, the more you want to cry.

I have pulled out everything that is bolted down and yanked up the carpet. I
have pulled down the headliner and window trim. I have removed all the
cabinets and appliances. Basically all I have left is the bare ceilings,
walls floor and bath module. Here comes the crying. In pulling the carpet
back I noticed some soft spots in the plywood floor. Particularly in the
back of the coach near the water tank. So the tough decision, should I bite
the bullet and replace the plywood floor panels??? I said yes. After all,
a house built on a soft foundation is bound to settle and crack the walls.
So why go through the effort of installing new carpet, furniture and
appliances over a rotted floor.

Now my questions for the more seasoned. The exact spots of the rotten
plywood is in the rear near the water tank and up front behind the driver's
seat. I am blaming a leak in the water tank for the rear, but up front, I
dont know what could have leaked to cause the problem. The spot is right
behind the wheel well. Anyone with ideas?

As a precaution, I will be removing each window and resealing. Does a
non-hardening butyl sealer work best here or should I stick with a high
grade of silicone?

Mechanically, the coach is very sound. I have been following the posts on
rear boggie problems and have some play in my pins. How much is normal?

Thanks for the assistance

Chip Gremillion
75' Glenbrook

 

[gene]

I think Henry has some good stuff on replacing the rear floor.

http://www.henry-davis.com/GMC/

gene

>The gut job I am doing on my 75 Glenbrook is a little like peeling an onion.
>The more layers you peel back, the more you want to cry.
>
>I have pulled out everything that is bolted down and yanked up the carpet. I
>have pulled down the headliner and window trim. I have removed all the
>cabinets and appliances. Basically all I have left is the bare ceilings,
>walls floor and bath module. Here comes the crying. In pulling the carpet
>back I noticed some soft spots in the plywood floor. Particularly in the
>back of the coach near the water tank. So the tough decision, should I bite
>the bullet and replace the plywood floor panels??? I said yes. After all,
>a house built on a soft foundation is bound to settle and crack the walls.
>So why go through the effort of installing new carpet, furniture and
>appliances over a rotted floor.
>
>Now my questions for the more seasoned. The exact spots of the rotten
>plywood is in the rear near the water tank and up front behind the driver's
>seat. I am blaming a leak in the water tank for the rear, but up front, I
>dont know what could have leaked to cause the problem. The spot is right
>behind the wheel well. Anyone with ideas?
>
>As a precaution, I will be removing each window and resealing. Does a
>non-hardening butyl sealer work best here or should I stick with a high
>grade of silicone?
>
>Mechanically, the coach is very sound. I have been following the posts on
>rear boggie problems and have some play in my pins. How much is normal?
>
>Thanks for the assistance
>
>Chip Gremillion
>75' Glenbrook
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/

 

[henry davis]

>
>I think Henry has some good stuff on replacing the rear floor.
>
>http://www.henry-davis.com/GMC/
>
>gene

Thanks for the comments Gene.

>

- -snip-
>>walls floor and bath module. Here comes the crying. In pulling the carpet
>>back I noticed some soft spots in the plywood floor. Particularly in the
>>back of the coach near the water tank. So the tough decision, should I bite
>>the bullet and replace the plywood floor panels??? I said yes. After all,
>>a house built on a soft foundation is bound to settle and crack the walls.
>>So why go through the effort of installing new carpet, furniture and
>>appliances over a rotted floor.

Welcome to the world of floor panel replacement. It can be a bunch of work,
but it' the right thing to do.

>>
>>Now my questions for the more seasoned. The exact spots of the rotten
>>plywood is in the rear near the water tank and up front behind the driver's
>>seat. I am blaming a leak in the water tank for the rear, but up front, I
>>dont know what could have leaked to cause the problem. The spot is right
>>behind the wheel well. Anyone with ideas?

Look at the window area and the drip rail seam. Keep in mind that on the
GMC a leak on one corner can end up showing up on a diagonal corner (well,
maybe it's a bit of an exaggeration). If you can pressurize your coach you
will be amazed to find leaks that you didn't kno that you had. One othher
potential source - the side seam that runs up between front window and side
window. The sides of the GMC flex - and this area collects leaks.

Henry

 

[james bolick]

but up front, I
dont know what could have leaked to cause the problem. The spot is right
behind the wheel well. Anyone with ideas?

Chip, I had the same leak and found that the center of the rear edge of the
driver's side window was leaking, also, at the front of the drip rail on the
driver's side, there is an end cap, take the cap off and you will find that
GM left a nice hole up there for rain to pour in. Pack that hole full of
caulk or some other type of sealant.

Jim Bolick
'73 Painted Desert